Kobe Bryant Timeline : Kobe scores 55 points against Michael Jordan

28 Mar 2003 On March 28, 2003, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the then Michael Jordan-led Washington Wizards 108-94. In this very game, Kobe Bryant torched His Airness and band of misfits for 55 points. Kobe shot 15-of-29 from the field, an eye-popping 9-of-13 from deep and had 42 of the 55 in the first half. Jordan himself dropped 23 points in 41 minutes, less than half of what a young and budding Black Mamba did.

Obviously, we know Jordan was 39 while Bryant was a sprightly 24, but a 15-year age difference isn't even enough taint an occasion like this. It was a career-defining discharge for Bryant and a momentous occurrence for the Lakers in general. Everyone involved could see the significant behind what was transpiring. Even Shaquille O'Neal provided Kobe with some light-hugging action.

The purpose of reflecting on this display is not to argue Bryant is the greatest of all time. If anything, it just increases our insatiable desire to see these two play against each other in the prime of their careers. There's a reason (or 50) why Kobe has generated so many comparisons to MJ. It's because he could score like this, because he could shoot like this.